Memorial ceremonies, especially for the 9/11 attacks, are solemn affairs. Ideally, they should be one of the few times when politics takes a backseat and where Donald Trump and Kamala Harris can shake hands just hours after a contentious presidential debate.
However, things are never quite that easy with Trump.
According to The Daily Beast, the former president “winked and smiled at photographers during the 9/11 memorial ceremony,” held Wednesday at the former site of the World Trade Center.
This isn’t Trump after a debate or one of his rallies, it’s him at the 9/11 memorial winking at female photographers. He’s weird and gross. pic.twitter.com/HUZDHuNSns
— Dana Goldberg (@DGComedy) September 11, 2024
Some ripped Trump for smiling during the service.
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Well, #DonOld disrespected deceased soldiers at ANC, so why would anyone expect he would have a different attitude at a 911 memorial? https://t.co/G6MOM7mgaV
— JennyBiz🌊🆘 #Resistance #VoteBlueNoMatterWho (@jennybizh) September 11, 2024
Cringe. pic.twitter.com/UWGvoqbog5
— Kaye (@KayeSteinsapir) September 11, 2024
So vile and grotesque. Mouthing “Thank you” (for what?) at least 3-4 times.
He also smiles and winks a lot. Just more highly inappropriate behavior at a very solemn memorial service meant to honor the bereaved and our dead heroes. He is just so gross. pic.twitter.com/D2YPzz8KMS
— Justine (@SFBayAreaGirl) September 11, 2024
Just another photo opportunity for the conman.
— Gailen David (@gailendavid) September 11, 2024
Others pointed out that on the day of September 11, 2001, Trump had said in a radio interview that following the collapse of the Twin Towers, he was now the owner of the tallest building in Lower Manhattan.
“It was actually, before the World Trade Center, was the tallest—and then, when they built the World Trade Center, it became known as the second-tallest. And now it’s the tallest,” Trump said that day. He also claimed to have hired hundreds of workers for rescue and cleanup efforts, although that claim has proved hard to pin down.
Around 2005 Trump, as a real-estate developer, pushed his own plan for ground zero, which included a rebuilding of the Twin Towers. The construction ultimately proceeded without his involvement.
Also noted was Trump’s guest for the Ground Zero ceremony: Laura Loomer, who among a litany of other controversial and racist comments, once declared 9/11 an “inside job.”
Later in the day, Trump visited a memorial in Shanksville, Pa., where one of the planes crashed in the field on 9/11. Speaking to reporters, Trump claimed that he had won the debate, and was noncommital about debating Harris again.
Donald Trump stopped to talk to reporters after a 9/11 memorial event Wednesday, telling them he enjoyed his debate with Kamala Harris and won the exchange. He wouldn’t commit to a second#donaldtrump #kamalaharris #politics #news #election2024 #democrats #republicans #911… pic.twitter.com/cFMmTwRK0h
— The National Desk (@TND) September 11, 2024
Also at the New York memorial, Trump was asked something of an embarrassing question.
“Where were you for 20 years? I’ve been here. Where were you?,” someone asked the former president, apparently calling Trump out for not visiting the 9/11 memorial, in the city of his birth, in years when he’s not seeking the presidency.
Featured Image via Political Tribune Gallery
